Garter clasp and the like



Oct. 15, 1940. J. GQPRICE ETAL v GARTER CLASP AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1939 IN VE N TORS. JOSIAH 6. PRICE.

INGOLF SNEVA.

Patented Oct. 15, 1940 um'rea srrss EMT 2,217,770 GARTER CLASP AND THE LIKE Josiah G. Price, Ingolf Sneva, and

Chicago, Ill..

Arthur Weis,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to garment supporting devices and more particularly to stocking garter. clasps, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved stocking clasp which has extended engaging members to grasp a substantial number of threads in a garment such as stockings in order to avoid runs therein.

Numerous types of clasps have heretofore been proposed in connection with garment supports, but these have not proven entirely satisfactory. in that they are either possessed of too much bulk or engage only a comparatively few threads of the garment to the end of creating runs in delicate fabrics such as silk stockings. In order to avoid or preclude impairment to silk stockings and similar garments, it has been found necessary to engage a substantial number of threads composing the fabric so that they collectively support the garment through the medium of a garter or similar medium to which the clasp is attached or connected.

In devices of this character, it is essential that there be minimum body to clasps so as to avoid detection from external view, afford maximum comfort to the wearer, and effectively grasp a comparatively large number of threads in each garment for support without any possible impairment such as runs which are common in silk stockings. To avoid the defects of known garment supporting clasps, a comparatively small, compact, and improved garment clasp has been provided for effectively grasping fabrics without impairment thereto,

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character'mentioned.

Another object is to provide an improved garment clasp having extended complemental members effective to engage a comparatively large number of threads in a garment to more efiectively serve as a support therefor.

Still another object is to provide a comparatively thin clamping member of arcuate form to correspond with the contour of the leg and provide an elongated engaging edge to serve as a complement for a clip mounted in yielding engagement therewith to eifect'the grasp of a comparatively large number of threads of a garment detachable engagement with a fabric therebetween.

A still further object is to provide a pair of complemental engaging members that have elongated engaging edges formed from suitable material to provide a light, comparatively small and inexpensive clasp effective to support a garment by a comparatively large number of threads thereof.

Still a further object is to provide arcuately curved elongated engaging edges on complemental members of a clip for joinder by outwardly bowed strips for effective detachable engagement of a fabric through the medium of a comparatively large number of threads thereof.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative em-' bodiment of the present invention. .In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a garment clasp shown and illustrated in connection with a silk stocking to show'themanner of support therein.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of a garment clasp embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front View in elevation similar'to Figure 2, the top engaging member being shown removed from engagement in a position ready to receive a garment therebetween.

Figure 4 is an end View in elevation of a garment clasp shownin, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top edge view of the garment clasp shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is'a sectional view taken substantially along line VI-VI of Figure 3. I

Figure '7- is a sectional View similar to Figure 6 taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 2 with the clip member shown in a position ready for engaging fabric such as a silk stocking top therewith.

Figure 8 is a front view in elevation of one of the spring members shown in Figure 2.

Figure 9- is an. end view of the spring member shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of the upper end of a garter clasp showing a modified garterend attachment expedient.

The structure selected for illustration com prises a comparatively thin plate member i8 that is arcuately shaped to generally correspond with the curvature of the human leg or thigh so as to conform for contact therewith. The plate member in is, in this instance, vertically elongated to provide a comparatively narrow horizontal central portion H having its edges 12 and i3 effectively curved to present a somewhat wider upper extremity I l. The upper extremity M has, in this instance, a horizontal slot 15 provided therein proximate to the top edge I8 which is interrupted by a vertical throat I? to permit a garter M to be inserted therebetween.

The garter I8 may terminate in a reinforced or looped end 19 for lodgement in the horizontal slot I5 which engages and envelops a pair of horizontally aligned bosses 23 and El. The bosses 26 and 2! are formed proximate to the upper extremity If! to define the throat I? and constitutes a ridge above the horizontal garter retaining slot IS. The lower end 19 of the garter l8 may, if commercial practiceso dictates, be provided with a reinforced lower edge having end projections 59' which will abut against the bosses 2ll2l when the garter has been inserted through the throat I! (Figure 10). A transverse ridge extends across the upper region M of the clasp Ill to define end apertured bosses 20' and 2| below the transverse slot it).

As shown, the lower extremity of the plate member Hi flares outwardly beyond the somewhat divergent side edges of its mid-portion II and extremity M to define an arcuately curved extensive lower edge 22 which has an upwardly turned flange 23 defining an arcuate trough 24. The lower edge 22 is substantially elongated and, in this instance, extends for a distance that will be commensurate with a comparatively large number of inter-woven threads from which garments such as silk stockings are constructed. The comparatively large number of threads will collectively support the garment when properly held in the trough 24 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

While the extent of the trough 2t may vary within a wide range depending upon the garment to be supported, it may approximate 2 to effectively and without impairment grasp delicate hose that are easily subjected to runs responsive to the slightest abuse. The external edges of the trough 24% defined by the flange 23 and the curved edge 22 thereof are provided with well rounded curves to avoid piercing engagement with the garment fabric and afford the utmost comfort to the wearer. The flange 23 is transversely curved to conform with the general curvature of the thigh, and is an integral part of the plate or body member it To conform to excessively plump thighs, the transverse curvature of the plate member ID and especially its lower edge region 22 preferably is curved differently than corresponding plate members iii designed for the average or normal sized thighs.

In order to'frictiona-lly engage and securely hold a closely woven fabric such as a silk stocking top 25 in the trough 2d, a clip member 26 conforms in arcuate contour with the lower region of the plate member Hi, and terminates upwardly in a finger manipulating nib 2'! disposed along the longitudinal median line thereof. The nib 21 merges with circularly curved notches 28 and 29 formed at its base to terminate in a substantiallly rectangular portion having a horizontal lower edge 36 serving as a complement of the trough 2 for en agement therewith. The clip member 25 with its lower complemental engaging edge 353 is provided with end bosses (ii and 32 extending from the curved nib base notches 2829 to constitute an integral part thereof. The upper plate bosses 2El'2 l and the lower clip bosses 3l-32 serve as pivotal mount for toggle members, in this instance, a pair of bowed spring or wire members 33 and 34.

The bowed spring members 33-34 are preferably shaped from resilient stainless steel wire so as to present confronting inwardly directed top extremities 35 and 36 which project in correspondingly shaped apertures disposed in horizontal alignment in the bosses 2ll'-2I'. The lower ends 3l38 of the spring members 333 l are outwardly directed so as to project in correspondingly sized apertures provided in the lower bosses 3|-32, thereby pivotally mounting the clip 28 to possess a toggle action in confronting engaging relation with the plate or body member if]. The complemental edges 24-36 thereof will, therefore, be displaceable in secure frictional engagement to effectively retain the fabric 25 therebetween for support thereof through the medium of a comparatively large number of its threads.

This will create the uniform grasp of a garment such as a silk stocking 25 and effectively support it through the medium of the garter strap I8 that may be a part of an undergarment M or a separate garter belt independent of any garment that functions in a manner well known in the art. It will thus be apparent, therefore, that the clip 26 which may be molded or otherwise shaped from metal, plastic or other suitable material to conform with and assume a position adjacent to the plate member IE3 to provide a toggle action therewith. In consequence thereof, the clip 26 will be self-locking to hold the fabric 25 in'the trough 24 so that it can effectively serve as a support thereof in conjunction with the garter IS.

The self-locking position of the clip 25 is effected by displacing it to its extreme position in contact with the plate member Hi to cause the spring members 3334 to yield in a vertical direction for tightly embracing the fabric and that part of the garment 25 which is disposed in the trough 24. In effecting the move ment of the clip 26 by manipulating the finger nib 27, the spring members 3334 will pivotally engage and move collectively in the bosses 2ll'2l and 3l-32 provided in the upper ends of the plate member H3 and the lower ends of the clip 26. So that the spring members 33-3 3 will exert separating urge to retain their ends in the bosses 20'--2l and 3I-32, they are pro vided with sharply curved loops 39 and M) proximate to the lower extremities 31-38 that are inwardly offset as at 4! from the plane of the wires 33-434 to provide a toggle locking action in that they are caused to yield somewhat when the confronting lower clasp and clip edges 22-35! are in engagement with or without the garment 25 therebetween. An aperture 42 is provided in the central region of the plate member ill to lessen the bulk thereof and also enable the finger tip lifting of the clip nib 21 having its upper edge extending in the area of the aperture 42.

It will thus be apparent that a very simple, effective and improved supporting garter clasp has been provided which can be used in connection with the most delicate silk stockings for effecting the grasp thereof without impairment thereto. Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the features or advantages thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any member, a clamping member corresponding substantially in width with said plate member, said clamping member having a transverse edge commensurate in width with said lower engaging flange portion for engaging cooperation therewith, and a pair of inwardly bowed wire spring members having oppositely extending pintles pivotally interposed between the wide portion of said clamping member and the narrow portion of said elongated member to maintain said clamp-- ing member and said elongated member in yielding engagement between the entire extent of their transverse wide portions to retain a garment therebetween without impairment todelicate texture thereof, the narrow portion 'of said.

clamping member extending above the spring pintle connection therewith and wholly between said wire spring members for manual grasp to tion with a comparatively narrow elongated plate member, of a transversely extending flange formed on said elongated plate member to present a comparatively wide. engaging portion, said transversely extending flange being substantially wider than the remaining portion of said plate member, a clampingmember corresponding substantially in width with said plate member, said clamping member having a transverse edge commensurate in width with said lower engagingflange portion for engaging cooperation therewith, and resilient inwardly bowed link means having oppositely extending pintles pivotally interposed between the wide portion of said clamping member and the narrow portion of said elongated member for establishing a toggle connection to maintain said clamping member and said elongated member in yielding engagement between the entire extent of their transverse wide portions to retain a garment therebetween with* out impairment to delicate texture thereof, the narrow portion of said clamping member extending above the spring pintle connection therewith and wholly between said wire spring members for manual grasp to efiect the relative displacement between said plate member and said clamping member. p

JOSIAH G. PRICE. INGOLF SNEVA. ARTHUR WEIS. 

